"Who are you?" Arsh looked at the silhouette sitting in the chair in the dark room.
"I was going to ask the same question. Who are you, kid?"
"You're the one who sneaked into my room."
The man stayed silent for a moment.
"Tell me… that wound on your hand, how did you get it? Did someone do that to you?"
Arsh didn't answer the question.
"First, tell me who you are," he said.
The man chuckled silently. Arsh couldn't see his face, but from his silhouette it was clear that he wasn't someone Arsh could overpower if things ever came to a fight.
"Let's just say I'm someone who looks for people who carry these kinds of symbols."
"For what?"
Will had written in his diary that there was a group of people who collected these symbols. This made Arsh instantly became alert.
"Hmm... to make sure they don't cause any problems, or that they aren't in any trouble themselves."
'What trouble? You're the one causing problems' Arsh thought.
"I'm not going to cause any problems."
"Convince me"
Arsh felt a rising sense of danger toward the man. The calmness in his voice and movements was even scarier than a man who came at him ready to attack. He slowly stood up from the bed and lit the gas lamp on the table. Only then did he see the man's face clearly. He had brown, curly hair, large brown eyes framed by long lashes, and a light stubble along his jawline.
"How long have you been following me?"
"Since you came to the city."
Arsh had felt that someone was following him earlier today, but only after he left the bank. He thought it was just a thief or something like that. But after meeting Nesame, he had lowered his guard completely.
"So you heard me talking to the guard… that's how you found out which room I'm staying in?"
He gave a quiet "Hmm" of confirmation.
He sat there with one leg crossed over the other, his hands resting calmly on his stomach, watching Arsh in a relaxed posture.
"Then you must have heard what I told him."
He let out a similar approving sound again. It was clear that he expected Arsh to explain the missing part of the story that concerned him. He hadn't mentioned the symbol or how he got out in detail to Nesame or the others, and given the gravity of the situation, no one had questioned these details. But these were exactly the details the man in front of him was curious about.
"I saw this symbol in the ancient burial chamber I told the guard about. I'd heard a legend saying it could grant powers to ordinary people, and… I was in a difficult situation, so I tried it."
He pressed his lips together and shook his head slowly.
"Not convincing. Did it give you any power?"
"No."
"Good. Another lie. But if you heard this kind of legend, you should know it completely. Did you know that it can kill you?"
No, he didn't hear that.
"I only heard that worthy people can use them."
"Oh, you really heard the legend. You are a native, right? This is not a legend told in these lands anymore. Almost any land, actually. You heard it from someone."
Arsh was silent again.
"So, I am assuming that you heard that from those archeologists. What did they find in that burial chamber? Ahh, by the way, you should be aware of your surroundings when you talk about things like that. Or there is a possibility you will get killed by an adventurer who is looking for treasure. They can do anything for information about these stuffs."
"Are you threatening me?"
"No, you got that wrong. I'm just trying to be helpful."
He waited for an answer for a while, but Arsh was not planning to tell this man anything. Someone just came into his room in the middle of the night and was asking questions he thought had a relation to the death of his dad and villagers. 'Not convincing.'
The man took a deep breath and stood up
"First of all, let me make one thing clear, I am an honorable officer working for the Symran government. I have a steady income so I have no reason to kill a child or choose something as uncertain as chasing after treasure just to make a living.."
'Not even the village idiot would wear rags like that… and claiming you have a steady income is clearly a lie.'
"I said I'm on a mission right now. You should see me in everyday life… Whatever. Now tell me at least how you got out of that well."
Arsh hadn't wanted to show it, but he had already been thinking about how he would explain that part.
Still, the shift in his thoughts left a trace on his expression. it didn't escape the curly-haired man's notice. A faint smile appeared on his face.
"Got you."
He sat back down on the chair, clasped his hands on his knees, and leaned forward.
"I'm waiting."
"I'm not sure. After I drew the symbol on my hand, I don't remember exactly what happened. I fell from a high place, I was hungry, thirsty, and wounded. I only remember passing through some tunnels and ending up near an altar at the temple in my village. I remember seeing Arienne's statue there. I think… the Goddess helped me."
What he had told him was obviously a lie. Arsh was certain of the reality of everything he had experienced. He just wasn't sure where to find the right sources to investigate it. And he was starting to feel there was no way to get rid of this man. If he couldn't escape him, then at least he could learn a thing or two from him.
Besides, he hadn't forgotten what the man had said earlier: the death of the unworthy. Will's journal mentioned something similar.
"If a person is not worthy, his body collapses slowly."
'So that's what he had meant; death. But I feel okay' He thought for a moment
"I get it. You've been through a lot lately. You can't trust a man who sneaks into your room in the dark. You shouldn't. It is better that way. The same goes for you, kid. I can't say that I trust you. But since you have that siuni on you, I'll keep an eye on you for a while. I'll need to file a record of your name to avoid problems you may cause in the future. Also you look fine, but let's check your health."
"Are you really an official. Can you prove it"
"Look, I said that I am on a mission. But I will later."
"But you are saying openly that you are on a secret mission"
"Because my mission is to find kids like you."
"You are not a kidnapper, right?"
"Of course not" he said, his eyes full of disbelief.
He stood up again.
"There is someone who can check your health. I need to be sure about your health. So, will you come without resistance, or should I force you?"
The man was tall and bulky. He was definitely in his thirties. Arsh scrutinized the man. There was no way he would be able to resist. And he really didn't want to die because of this siuni. He didn't have much choice at that moment.
"I will come with you"
"Good"
The man moved toward the window.
"There's a door!" Arsh shouted, but the man already had one leg over the window sill.
"Oh, right. Let's go"
…
They didn't talk much as they walked. They came to an alley in a district where mostly Kurshan people lived. The streets were lined with buildings similar to those Arsh had passed that morning, but the area had grown silent with the night. There was no trace of the chaotic noise and smell of the morning. Only the occasional drunk passerby and a few night watchmen could be seen.
A few moments later, they arrived at a eatery. Unlike the silent streets outside, the place was crowded and noisy. But it didn't take long for Arsh to realize that it wasn't a typical eatery. It was a tavern. He had never been anywhere like this before. Arsh hadn't expected Juan to bring him to a place like this.
The dim light inside mixed with the smoke from the tobacco people were smoking, giving the room a hazy, almost foggy atmosphere. The smell of both the smoke and the alcohol hit him immediately, making his throat burn and forcing him to cough. Trying to block the smell, he pulled up the cloth he used to shield their mouth from sand of his tunic, and covered his nose.
Arsh followed the curly haired man and walked toward a small table tucked away in the corner. An older man, probably in his fifties, sat there alone. Like everyone else inside the tavern the odler man was a Kurshan as well.
The man lifted his gaze as Juan and Arsh approached. His looked them for a moment, then, suddenly, his attention shifted. His gaze locked on Arsh's hand. Before Arsh could react the man reached forward and grabbed his hand, without saying anything.